An Evaluation of Kettle Tippers

Abstract

The Disability Equipment Assessment Centre, Southampton, funded by the Medical Devices Directorate, Department of Health, which undertakes a rolling programme of equipment evaluation, has recently completed an evaluation which included kettle tippers. All commercially available kettle tippers (n=6) were evaluated by subjects (n=25) with impaired grip or mild tremor, following a standardised test procedure. The mechanical functioning of the tippers was also examined. A higher proportion of subjects experienced difficulty in pouring as the force required to do so was increased. A high proportion of subjects rated all tippers as stable, with the exception of the Sunflower tipper with a kettle filled to minimum capacity. The majority of subjects (88%) found using a kettle in conjunction with the tippers easier than using a kettle on its own, but important individual differences between the tippers are described.